Welcome to our series of posts – “The Looker” where we will share our wish list of artists participating in Eurovision.
This is the second year in a row that we are running the project.
But before we start, let us remark that our recommendations will not necessarily come true (as for example some countries select their artists by reality shows)
Chapter 1 (Belgium, Israel, The Netherlands) can be found here
Chapter 2 (Denmark, Iceland, North Macedonia) can be found here
Chapter 3 (Finland, Norway, Sweden) can be found here
Chapter 4 (Austria, Germany, Switzerland) can be found here
Chapter 5 (Albania, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece) can be found here
Chapter 6 (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia) can be found here
Chapter 7 (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania) can be found here
Chapter 8 (France, Portugal, Spain) can be found here
Chapter 9 (Australia, Ireland, United Kingdom) can be found here
Previous Wishes: Marko Kutlić, Marin Jurić-Čivro , SUN U
#1. Bad Daughter
Bad Daughter is the pseudonym of the Croatian singer-songwriter Dunja Ercegović.
She is 30 years old and became known in 2012, following the release of the song “Wrong House“.
In the past, she also performed under the stage name Lovely Quinces.
In 2013, she released her debut EP, “No Room For Us“.
In 2014, she went on a tour in Austin and performed in Canada and Europe. During the performance, she met Howe Gelb, the American singer-songwriter and leader of the group Giant Send, who invited her to sing a duet with him on his new studio album and to join his group on a major European tour of 24 concerts.
She also performed alongside Tame Impala, Morcheeba, Kurt Vile at the Waves Vienna festival.
In 2015, she was nominated for the “Impala Awards” – best European independent album.
In 2016, she released her second EP, “Meet Me In Moscow“.
In 2021, she released the album “Let Me Panic“.
Let’s listen to 3 of her songs:
In 2021, she released the song “Favourite Game“:
In 2021, she releaed the song “Thick“:
In 2021, she released the song “Fuck Paris“:
Bad Daughter delivers high quality combinations of dark pop, rock and electro indie music.
Croatia has already experienced sending “Western” music to Eurovision, but it has never been something edgy and risky.
Now it is about time.
#2. J.R. August
J.R. August (real name: Nikola Vranić) is a 33 year-old Croatian singer-songwriter, pianist and producer.
Before his independent career, he played keyboards in the Varaždin band Voodoo Lizards.
He performed with established musicians such as: Jimmy Rip , Bernard Fowler, Charlotte Gibson, Phil Jones, Remi Kabaka, Kim Shaheen, and others.
In 2019, he released several singles. Later this year, he signed a contract with “Croatia Records“.
In October 2019, he released his debut album “Dangerous Waters” that gained a lot of positive criticism.
It became the best-selling album in Croatia in the week after its release – the first time in history for a domestic artist singing in English.
He even received international recognition, like Rock&Off Album of the Year Award given by the most prominent Croatian critics and music journalists.
In 2020, he was one of the leasing artists in the country, as he won several different awards in the Croatian Music Awards (“Porin”): Album of the Year, New Artist of the Year, Best Alternative Album.
August won another two Porin awards and Rock&Off awards in 2021.
In 2022, he released a new album – “Still Waters“.
Let’s listen to 3 of his songs:
In 2020, he released the song “Dangerous Waters“:
In 2022, he released the song “Divine Intervention“:
In 2022, he released the song “Lonley“:
J.R. August is an artist who has the ability to hit all the international music charts.
His style and genre are unique, putting him in high priority to claim the stage for Croatia at Eurovision.
#1. MAIKA
MAiKA is a Balkan-Alternative Dance band, with members from Montenegro, Croatia, and Serbia.
The members of the band are: Mish, Iva Pažin, Luka Lopicic, Nikola Vukotić, Dusan Murisic.
The band released their debut album “Balkannibalism” in 2018.
In 2017, they released the song “River Save“:
In 2018, they released the song “Share of Your Life”:
In 2020, they released the song “Da li znaš” (Eng: Did you Know?):
Their music relies on modern beats, female punk vocals, and crazy stage energy. Combining traditional Balkan music, trumpets and accordion, with new genres (electronic, alternative dance, indie pop, punk), MAiKA creates an authentic sound never heard before in this region.
This is the direction that Montenegro should take in Eurovision.
#2. Goga Sekulic
Gordana “Goga” Sekulić is a 45 year-old Montegrin-Serbian singer.
Her biggest breakthrough came in 2000, when she released her debut album “Ljubavnica” (Eng: a lover).
In 2004, she was featured on the cover of the Serbian magazine “Playboy“.
So far, the singer has released 8 studio albums and she is considered one of the top Turbo Folk artists in the Balkans.
She splits her life between Serbia, Switzerland and Montenegro.
In 2017, she collaborated with Mika Kitic on the song “Krize” (Eng: Crises):
In 2019, she released the song “Corleone“:
In 2022, she released the song “ANAMNEZA” (Eng: Anamnesis)
Goga is one of the well known singers in the Balkans.
She can bring a lot of fun and energy to the stage, and earn a lot of points from those in the public who adore Balkan music.
Previous Wishes: LORENS, Luke Black, Anastasija Raznatovic
#1. Saša Kovačević
Aleksandar “Saša” Kovačević is a 37 year old Serbian singer.
He combines Balkam ballads, pop and Reggaeton.
He released 2 studio albums and plenty of singles:
- “Jedina si vredela” (Eng: “You Were The Only One Worth It) – 2006
- “Ornament” – 2010
Let’s listen to 3 of his songs:
In 2017, he released the song
In 2020, he released the song “Ona“:
In 2022, he released the song “Lazu te ljubavi” (Eng: I Lie to You, Love)
Saša Kovačević is one of the hottest names in the Serbian music industry.
He can take Serbia in a different direction compared to the past
#2. Zoi
Zoi is a 22 year-old Serbian singer. She is also the cousin of the well known singer Nataša Bekvalac.
In 2020, Zoi received the prize for discovery of the year at the Vrnjačka carnival, where she performed the song “Eto”.
Despite not being part of the LGBT community, Zoi performed at the Pride Parade in 2019 and she is a supporter of human rights and equality.
So far, the singer has released several successful singles.
Let’s listen to them:
In 2020, she released the song “Jasno mi je” (Eng: I understand):
In 2021, she released the single “Djavoli” (Eng: Devils):
In 2022, she released the song “Problem“:
Zoi is a rising star in the Serbian music industry.
She makes modern Seriban pop music, and it can work perfectly at Eurovision as well.
What do you think about the recommended artists?
Stay tuned for more recommendations to come, next time we will travel to other countries
